MUNCIE, Ind. — Traffic along a downtown street will be affected by a building demolition this weekend.

City street superintendent Duke Campbell on Wednesday asked for and received approval to close the westernmost traffic lane of High Street between Main and Jackson streets, adjacent to the former Muncie Star, Muncie Evening Press and Star Press building in the block.

Campbell said, and Ivy Tech Community College confirmed Thursday, that the two-story building that housed the newsrooms of the newspapers will be demolished this weekend.

Campbell asked the Muncie Board of Public Works and Safety for the traffic lane closing for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The Muncie Star and The Muncie Evening Press began newsroom operations in the building at the southwest corner of High and Main streets around 1980 and continued there until around 2000, when the newsroom of The Star Press moved to 345 S. High St., where it remains to this day.

In addition to remodeling the building at 345 S. High St., Ivy Tech is tearing down the building at High and Main streets for new construction to add to its downtown campus.

In a $17-million project, the former Star Press building will be demolished and replaced with new construction.

Keith Roysdon is the government watchdog reporter for The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5828 and kroysdon@muncie.gannett.com.